It was only couple of days ago when I was thankful for my boys inspiring me and here we are again. Tonight was Gavin’s 4th & 5th grade concert, the last for the Kreiling boys at Summit. During one of the songs, The Sound of Silence, Gavin took the stage front and center for the final solo.

Gavin got up to the microphone and sang all by himself to a pretty good size crowd. In less than 30 seconds my mind was blown and I was so proud of the little dude he is becoming. To be willing to take the stage in front of everyone and do a solo blows my mind. How awesome that his self confidence is high enough to do that?

Gavin, you’ve inspired me to keep an eye out for the opportunities that I might normally shy away from because I’m not sure enough of myself. You reminded me to go for it and do what I enjoy regardless of the thoughts of others. Thanks for the inspiration bud! Love you dude!!!

Thanks!!!

Today and over the past week or so there were more than a couple of times when I could feel the universe nudging me in certain directions.  When I say a “nudge” I mean this lift subtle push in particular direction.  They’re these cool little moments when I can take a deep breath and think about where it’s pointing me.  In heeding their direction in the past I’ve usually gone in a better direction than the one I was in.

When I have a laser like focus on something I have a tendency of missing those nudges.  Sometimes they can so light that I almost miss them.  Other times I recognize them but choose to ignore them.  In some of those occasions I am left to either learn from my mistake or have a future opportunity to learn that lesson again in the future.

There’ve been a handful of these nudges in the past week and I can’t help but smile at them.  I’ve been noticing some subtle changes that I can make that could help me reach some goals and dreams more quickly.  Even better than that is that there are personal changes I can make that will help others reach their goals more quickly too!

Thanks for the nudges Big Guy, they’re greatly appreciated and I’m taking them in.

Thanks!!!

Earlier this evening I talked with my mom for a little while as I drove home from work.  I had to cut the call off early so I could grab Gavin from home and take him to soccer practice.  After he was dropped off I called my mom again and then we hung up so I could run in and eat and get some work done before I had to run back to pick up Gavin.  Then as I drove to pick up Dominic from his track meet I caught myself thinking about just how many miles my parents must have racked up while I was a kid.

I’d like to think that I appreciated them and all the driving they did for me back then, but I think it’s only now as I get older and am the boys’ Uber that I get the basics of what they sacrificed for me.  My mom commented on how when she’s asked trivia about events in the ’80’s she doesn’t often know the answer because the 80’s were a blur of taking care of us boys and working.  I am finally really starting to get it.  Thanks Mom and Dad for all the miles and time you gave for Nick and I!!!

The other thing I caught myself appreciating more than once over the past couple of days was how often I am inspired by my boys.  Funny how that works, isn’t it?  I’m pretty sure this equation is supposed to be reversed, but they inspire me more often than they know or than I realize.

Gavin’s high energy, upbeat attitude, and wanting to always talk and spend time together can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.  There are times when I just want to get something done and I really need to focus.  Throw a Gavin into the mix and it gets tough. What he does do though is cause me to pause and make sure that what I am doing in that moment is really that important.  Sometimes it is and I ask him to give me space, but then I spend time with him after I am done with the task.  Other times I realize that the most important thing I can be doing is spending time with him.  In those moments I set everything aside and spend time in the moment with him.  He’s seemingly always upbeat and ready to go, his energy inspires me to be happier and get an extra bounce in my step.

Dominic is willing to try and do anything.  Last night in his concert they asked everyone who did a solo to stand up.  I figured almost everyone would stand up, but he was one of only a small handful of kids who did.  Two nights ago he nonchalantly told us he was doing the high jump in track…  something he’d never done before at a meet.  Last night he told me he might have interest in a different sport next year.  Last week he went with a totally different haircut just because.  Dominic is supremely comfortable in his own skin and doing his own thing.  He doesn’t worry about what others think, he just continues to be Dominic.  I absolutely love and appreciate that part of him.  He inspires me to be myself and not to worry about what others may think.  There have been many times when I’ve gone outside of my comfort zone because I have him for motivation.

Both the boys are so much more than those couple of qualities, but those are the pieces of them that have been very inspirational for me recently.  I am so thankful for the way they motivate me to attempt to be a better person.

Thanks!!!

This weekend I got an email from one of the parents from Gavin’s soccer team.  She had taken several photos of all the boys playing soccer this weekend and uploaded them all online for all of the other parents.  In going through the pictures my jaw dropped at how awesome the pictures were…  They were almost all action shots, incredibly well focused, and flat out amazing!

How awesome that she took the time to not just get pictures of her own son, but she was sure to get pics of pretty much every player on our team.  While I watched and zoned in on how my son was playing she was taking in everything and making sure she got photos  of everyone.  In going through her pictures I’m amazed at all of the action and detail she managed to capture.

Interesting sidetone, she was also the parent who tagged in for me on Saturday morning while I was running and missed the first game.  Amy took Gavin AND another player along with her son to the game, took great care of them, took on my team manager responsibilities for the first game, AND took great pictures all day.  Huge thank you’s to Amy for all of the extra awesome she provided on Saturday!

Thanks!!!

After Monday morning’s hatching of a strategy to help one of our offices move the dial quickly I could feel the nervous energy and anticipation coursing through my veins. As the time for action neared I kept getting more and more excited – I was so pumped up!!!

After all was said and done I was very happy with the results and upcoming follow up actions. For a short time on the long drive home I caught myself thinking about what was next…

As luck would have it the run Becky and I have been training for is tomorrow! Tonight I’m bouncing through the house getting ready, making sure I have everything I need, and going through the plan for the run in my head. I’m not sure how I’m going to fall asleep tonight with the nervous energy pumping through me.

When I pause and think about the nervous energy and anticipation I’m reminded of the beauty of purpose and challenge. While chasing a dream with obstacles that could result in failure the nervous energy helps me stay in the present and savor every moment of the excitement. I’m probably going to be staring at the ceiling for a while tonight, but it’ll be with a smile on my face.

Thanks!!!

Whew, what a day it has been!!!  The biggest focus today has been work, there’s a lot going on and much progress has been made on several fronts.

From early this morning I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to get to know some of my teammates better.  We’ve been working closely on a special project today, and even though we’ve been very focused most of the time, we’ve also had some time to learn more about each other.  It’s funny how working together towards a common goal can bring together different combinations of people than we’re used to working with together and the conversations with these different groups go in directions different than normal.  In addition to getting to know them better personally it’s also so awesome to see them each step up in different ways and exhibit their strengths.  I am so blessed to work with such a group!

Normally I’d be spending time with family right after work, but tonight I took a short break and then went right back at it.  It’s been nice to have some quiet time to focus and get done all of the things that have been starting to pile up over the past few days.  There’s something oddly calming about finding an extra few hours in the day to get things done.  The sense of accomplishment is fantastic, and knowing that I can shut it all down for a while tomorrow night through Sunday morning is very calming and inspiring.

Off to bed for this old man!

Thanks!!!

So tonight I had this deep thought that I was going to blog about. It’s been rolling around in my head for a while and I had started mentally writing it.

After supper I was craving something a little sweet to finish up the meal. I thought about it for a moment and then knew exactly what I wanted… waffles with peanut butter and homemade maple syrup! In the flash of a taste bud my blog for today was re-directed in a most tasty way.

My in-laws have a hobby that they enjoy, making maple syrup. It’s become quite the process and they’re always smiling when they talk about it. Gavin spent some time with them helping out earlier this year and said how much fun he had with them.

Fortunately for my family and I they love sharing the results of their hobby with us. As I savored the delicious syrup this evening something else sunk in. They freely offer it up to us and take joy in sharing it. They never ask us to pay them for it or anything, they find joy in giving a gift like that. It is a wonderful reminder for me of the value of giving of oneself. The individual who receives the gift is thankful for it while the person who gives it feels the joy of giving a gift. The fact that it is sharing a hobby they enjoy putting time into and it’s an even greater source of joy. In thinking about this it makes me pause, think about what I enjoy doing and creating and consider ways I could share that and make a gift of that hobby.

Yet again, another lesson to learn and remember from my in-laws. I’m so thankful for them, what they have taught me through the past almost 20 years, AND the delicious fruits of their hobbies!

Thanks!!!